Luciano Pavarotti Foundation Opera Naples International Voice Competition 2026

The Luciano Pavarotti Foundation Opera Naples International Voice Competition supports the career growth of young opera singers by offering them the chance to be heard by industry professionals and to compete for artistic contracts. The competition occurs in three rounds at Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers, FL on March 13 &14 and in Baker Park in Naples, FL on March 15, 2026.

The competition fosters the career development of promising young opera singers worldwide by providing a platform to be heard by a panel of industry professionals and compete for artistic contracts that will significantly further their careers. This competition is a revival of the renowned Luciano Pavarotti International Voice Competition, which was founded in 1981 and, at its height, had 1,500 applicants from over 25 countries.

Each winner will receive a minimum of $10,000 in contracts to perform roles and/or concerts with Opera Naples as well as other opera houses and presenters within the next two seasons of the award. In order to be a recipient of a prize, the winners should be available from February 15 to March 15, 2027 for rehearsals and performances at the Opera Naples 2027 Festival Under the Stars.

Dates & Location

March 13 & 14: U. Tobe Recital Hall, Bower School of Music & the Arts, Florida Gulf Coast University 10501 FGCU Boulevard South, Bower School of Music, Fort Myers, FL 33965
March 15: Baker Park, 50 Riverside Circle, Naples, FL 34102

Selected singers will participate in three rounds of live performances for a jury taking place over the course of a three-day period between March 13-15. Each competitor is required to prepare a minimum of six arias in the language(s) of their choice; varying languages and styles are recommended. The jury might choose an aria from the presented list for any round. A pianist will be provided. Competitors are responsible for their own travel, housing and local transportation. All competitors must sign a media release. International competitors must also supply their own visas; Opera Naples can assist in providing letters of invitation and other needed documents for visa applications.

• 1st Round: Singers will present at least two aria selections not to exceed 10 minutes.

Note: this round will be closed to the public and take place in an indoor recital hall.

• Semi-final: Singers will present at least two aria selections (different from the first round) not to exceed 10 minutes. (The jury may select the arias among the six presented by the contestants).

Note: this round will be open to the public and take place in an indoor recital hall.

• Final: Singers will present aria selections (selected by the jury from previous rounds) not to exceed 10 minutes.

Note: this round will be open to the public and take place in an open-air stage setting with amplification.

Application Process

All materials must be submitted through the online YAP tracker application here.

Deadline: October 15, 2025.

Notification of acceptance: November 15, 2025.

Preliminary Application Requirements:

• Two video recording of operatic arias, made within the past year, which cannot be edited for sound or video enhancement.  Videos may have live or pre-recorded piano or orchestral accompaniment.
• Photocopy of valid ID
• Professional biography and/or resume in English (word or PDF format, one page maximum)
• Headshot (high resolution)
• $ 25 application fee

Jury Members

The jury is presided over by Nicoletta Pavarotti and Ramón Tebar. Additional jury members include international singers, opera directors, casting directors, artistic directors and consultants of renowned opera houses. The jury will be announced in November 2025.